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This study investigated the effects of wave conditions on performance and the physiological responses of surfers. Following institutional ethical approval 39 recreational surfers participated in 60 surfing sessions where performance and physiological response were measured using GPS heart rate monitors. Using GPS the percentage time spent in surfing activity categories was on average 41.6%, 47.0%, 8.1% and 3.1% for waiting, paddling, riding and miscellaneous activities respectively. Ability level of the surfers, wave size and wave period are significantly 3 associated with the physiological, ride and performance parameters during surfing.As the ability level of the surfers increases there is a reduction in the relative exercise intensity (e.g. average heart rate as a percentage of laboratory maximum, r partial = -0.412, P <0.01) which is in contrast to increases in performance parameters (e.g. maximum ride speed (r s = 0.454, P <0.01). As wave size increased there were reductions in physiological demand (e.g. total energy expenditure r partial = -0.351, P <0.05) but increases in ride speed and distance measures (e.g. the maximum ride speed, r s = 0.454, P <0.01). As wave period increased there were increases in intensity (e.g. average heart rate as a percentage of laboratory maximum, r p = 0.490, P <0.01) and increases in ride speed and distance measures (e.g. the maximum ride speed, r partial = 0.371, P <0.01). This original study is the first to show that wave parameters and surfer ability are significantly associated with the physiological response and performance characteristics of surfing.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric profiles of male surfers and investigate the relationship of these measures with performance and ability.